MBiz | November 2014

MCC PROUDLY UNITES THE REGIONS OF MANITOBA P3

Full Coverage of the 2014 MBiz Awards Ceremony P4 MBiz AWARDS 100th Anniversary of Hockey Manitoba builds on legacy P14 CELEBRATE!

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2 MBiz | November 2014

B IZ

T here are a number of definitions to the term partnership: The state of being a partner or partners; an association of two or more people as partners; or a business or firm owned and run by two or more partners. In my opinion, the end result of a partnership is finding a benefit for everyone involved. This is a key factor in how the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce looks at expanding our networking and advocacy base. To effectively grow the chamber network, we must continue to identify the areas in which we benefit those we speak to and on behalf of. Over the course of the last 18 months we have decided to work with, not just business organizations, but with individuals who believe in the chamber movement and working with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. Our partners vary from other non-profit organizations to the companies that provide services for our day-to-day operations. Even this magazine is published through a beneficial partnership with the Winnipeg Free Press. Sharing our message and working with great businesses and people is part of what makes the chamber network strong. Partnerships go beyond businesses helping businesses. Developing lasting partnerships extends into FINDING, DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING PARTNERSHIPS HELPS GROW THE CHAMBER NETWORK

NOVEMBER 2014 VOL. 6 MANITOBA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE mbchamber.mb.ca PRESIDENT & CEO Chuck Davidson DIRECTOR OF POLICY & COMMUNICATIONS Cory Kolt WINNIPEG FREE PRESS winnipegfreepress.com PUBLISHER Bob Cox VICE PRESIDENT SALES Laurie Finley MANAGER OF NICHE PRODUCTS Barb Borden barb.borden@freepress.mb.ca EDITOR Pat St. Germain pdstgermain@gmail.com

Chuck Davidson

the world of government at all levels. Our goal is to find a way to provide a benefit to the people with whom we engage. Bringing our experience and business network to those at city hall, on Broadway or in Ottawa is more than just telling them what businesses want from government; we work to develop relationships that help elected officials get in touch with business leaders and to start meaningful conversations and find lasting solutions to the problems facing our province. If we do not provide a benefit, the conversation is short and will not result in progress. We look forward to building on the relationships that currently exist and those that are just a phone call away. Chuck Davidson President and CEO Manitoba Chambers of Commerce

WRITERS Iris Chrol Cory Kolt Wendy King Jennifer McFee David Schmeichel David Square W Je D D

Pat St. Germain PHOTOGRAPHY Darcy Finley Numerous organizations supplied DESIGN Jane Chartrand PRINTING Quantum Graphics P P D N su D Ja P Q

FEATURED THIS MONTH IN MBIZ:

• 2014 MBiz Awards ....... 4 • Norman ........................ 8 • Parkland .................... 12 • Capital ....................... 14 • Pembina Valley .......... 24

• Central/Midwest ........ 26 • Central/Midwest ........ 28 • Interlake .................... 30 • Eastern ...................... 32 • Western ...................... 36

3 MBiz | November 2014

MCC MBIZ AWARDS GALA SPOTLIGHTS MANITOBA BUSINESSES

By Cory Kolt

Above: Ace Burpee hosted the awards gala. Photos by David Moder

M anitoba’s business community gathered at the newly renovated Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre on Oct. 29 to honour the finalists and winners of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce 2014 MBiz Awards, presented by Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries. Virgin Radio’s Ace Burpee served as host for the event. WE SALUTE THE CLASS OF 2014: OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS TALBOT & ASSOCIATES PROFESSIONAL CORP. Talbot & Associates is an accounting practice whose main purpose is to help clients achieve and maintain wealth by providing financial information they will understand and be able to use. The company provides accounting, bookkeeping and auditing services as well as preparation of corporate and personal taxes. It is most proud of how it makes a difference in employees’ lives. Employees discover their true potential, learn, grow and have fun. Nominated: Kinetic Machine Works, The Paw Resort & Wellness Centre

OUTSTANDING MEDIUM BUSINESS THINK SHIFT ADVERTISING INC.

Think Shift helps brands find and engage the changing heartland audience, creating spaces for meaningful connection. It uses technology and tools that bring people together when a face-to- face chat just isn't possible. The advertising agency also invests a significant amount of time, effort and resources into developing its employees — both professionally and personally. Fellow Think Shifters are considered friends, not co-workers. Think Shift is a place that's attracting the best clients and people in the industry.

Nominated: Gislason Targownik Peters, Imaginet OUTSTANDING LARGE BUSINESS NATIONAL LEASING GROUP

Since 1977, National Leasing has helped businesses excel through equipment financing. Leasing equipment provides companies what they need to operate their business without using their cash reserves or lines of credit. In addition to general commercial leasing, the company specializes in financing agricultural, health care, and golf and turf equipment. The corporate culture makes National Leasing an extremely unique company. A wellness committee deploys employee engagement strategies because happy employees equal happy customers. Nominated: Stantec, WOW! Hospitality Concepts

4 MBiz | November 2014

Manitoba Hydro is committed to helping businesses of all types and sizes become more energy efficient. We offer a variety of incentive programs to help reduce your energy costs and protect the environment. Contact us: 204-360-3676 (Winnipeg) or 1-888-624-9376 powersmartforbusiness@hydro.mb.ca hydro.mb.ca/psfb Let us show you how. Being Power Smart can improve your bottom line.

Above: from left, Jamie Jurzack, of Taylor McCaffrey LLP, with Think Shift Advertising’s Chris Bachinski (president Consulting Division), David Lazarenko (president Agency Division), David Baker (CEO ) and Balaji Krishnamurthy (chairman). Below: Garry Hale (left), of, AVentPro, and Jean-Guy Talbot, owner of Talbot & Associates Professional Corp.

*Manitoba Hydro is a licensee of the Trademark and Official Mark.

5 MBiz | November 2014

Top: Award winners and their guests. Below left: Wadood Ibrahim (left), of Protegra, with Colin Tirschmann, controller at National Leasing. Below middle: Zachary Minuk (left), of CPA Manitoba Joint Venture, and Arctic Co-operatives Ltd.’s Debbie Jones and Duane Wilson. Below right: Minister of Infrastructure and Transporta- tion Steve Ashton (left) and BEHLEN Industries’ Sean Lepper.

Long Term Achievement Business Winnipeg: Arctic Co-operatives Ltd.

Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual

to the Community Robert (Bob) Silver

The primary role of this aboriginal-owned and democratically controlled co-operative is to coordinate the resources and combined purchasing power of community-based member co- operatives. Located throughout Canada's Arctic, co-operatives work together to ensure ongoing social and economic advancement within their communities. Through these co-operatives, Arctic creates employment, offers training and development programs, and provides benefits to members. Nominated: Ceridian Canada Ltd., Telpay Inc. Long Term Achievement Business Rural: BEHLEN Industries BEHLEN is Canada's largest manufacturer of steel building systems — and the first in Canada to manufacture a frameless steel building. It sells steel structures — including industrial, commercial, recreational and institutional facilities — and its buildings stand on six continents. That international reach has a local benefit, as all buildings are manufactured in the company’s Brandon facility, where 341 people are employed. Nominated: Border View Electric Ltd., Winkler Dental Clinic

For more than 30 years, Robert (Bob) Silver has made an extraordinary contribution to business and the community at the local, national and international levels. He is the president and co-owner of Western Glove Works, and co-owner of Warehouse One and Urban Barn retail chains. Additionally, he is a co- owner of the Brandon Sun, the Winnipeg Free Press, the Canstar weekly papers and Derksen Printers in Steinbach; and he was a co-founder of Canterbury Park (now Pavilion Financial Corp., a private equity firm). Bob has served on a number of boards, including CentrePort Canada, Business Council of Manitoba, First Peoples Economic Growth Fund, Winnipeg Convention Centre, and as co-chair (since its inception in 2001) of the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council. Previous honours include: B’nai Brith Award of Merit, Alumni of the Year at the University of Manitoba, honorary degree from Red River College, CME Hall of Fame and the Order of Manitoba.

6 MBiz | November 2014

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Top: MTS president Kelvin Shepherd (left), honouree Robert Silver and MCC president and CEO Chuck Davidson. Bottom: MTS president Kelvin Shepherd (left), Cargill Ltd. president Jeff Vassart and MCC president and Chuck Davidson.

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION BY A BUSINESS TO THE COMMUNITY CARGILL LTD. Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, it helps people thrive by applying insights and nearly 150 years of experience. Since Cargill was established in 1885, it has grown to become one of the world's largest privately owned businesses. Headquartered in the heart of downtown Winnipeg, Cargill’s steady, continuous investment in Canada has fostered a competitive economic climate and significant employment benefits for our country. With relatively low political risk and a diverse talent pool, we’ll continue to hone our expertise and pursue new opportunities — within our existing industries as well as new markets. Creating a positive work environment is important to Cargill and as such, Cargill Ltd. has received numerous awards and recognition, including Canada’s Top Employer for Young People, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Manitoba’s Top 25 Employers.

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7 MBiz | November 2014

HUDSON BAY WATCH FACING CHALLENGES TO NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT By David Schmeichel

I ts world-renowned eco-tourism industry may sometimes pull focus, but there’s more to Churchill than polar bears and whale watching. And now that area tour providers have perfected their approach to bear- and beluga-boosting — not to mention sewn up their designation as one of the world’s best vantage points for viewing the northern lights — the rest of Churchill’s economic sector is poised to make further inroads, both figuratively and literally. A proposed winter ice road linking Churchill and Nunavut could boost mining development in the region, opening up trade and travel opportunities and better positioning the town as a supply chain for the north. And though OmniTRAX has put plans to transport crude oil through Churchill on indefinite hold — welcome news in the wake of a major summer train derailment — a renewed focus on grain and other commodities could draw attention from a host of other exporters. “With all the opportunity we have, and the international

awareness on our community, I think we can become a strategic point for the grain industry and for shipping,” says John Hrominchuk, Jr., president of the Churchill Chamber of Commerce. “We’re the only northern port in Canada. We’re also the jumping-off point for the supply chain for our forces in the north … We’ve got emerging mineral and oil areas opening up in Nunavut, and we have to be there to claim ownership of those fields.” With a population of 850 permanent residents (and an additional 12,000 or so tourists each year), Churchill is rife with economic opportunity — from the aforementioned commodities to as-yet unexplored facets of eco-tourism, to a near-constant demand for contractors, skilled tradespeople and health-care workers. Both the business sector and various levels of government are working to open up additional avenues for trade and tourist activity. To augment these efforts, Hrominchuk says the town needs to focus on “re-seeding” the area with new

8 MBiz | November 2014

Supply Line: The railroad is a vital link for northern communities and the Port of Churchill.

CHURCHILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FLIN FLON & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GILLAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THE PAS & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THOMPSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

families and residents — noting there’s plenty of affordable infrastructure in place for smaller grocery stores, boutique industries and the like. That said, he’s also cognizant of the unique financial challenges posed by Churchill’s location on Hudson Bay. “The cost of getting the goods up here and the reliability of that service is the challenge that we’re working on,” he says. Those challenges came to the fore last summer, when rail service to the region was halted following a June derailment of grain cars. Frontiers North Adventures CEO John Gunter says any derailment immobilizes the town of Churchill and other northern communities that rely on Churchill as a supply hub. “Everything is built around the rail line,” Gunter says. “When that railway is not working, nobody’s working. We have a hotel property in Churchill and we were laying off staff because when the port workers aren’t working, they’re not spending money … going out for dinner, going to the gym, renting movies. Everything just kind of ground down to a halt for about a month there.” The standstill prompted the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce to call on the provincial and federal governments for strategic direction on rail infrastructure in the North, as well as a long-term solution that ensures the viability of both the Hudson Bay Rail Line and the Port of Churchill. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >>

9 MBiz | November 2014

<< CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS

Hrominchuk agrees a long-term strategy is required, noting Churchill’s town council and its chamber members have identified the issue as a priority. “We’ve looked at it as a community, as a town, and as a chamber, and we’ve said, ‘We need a plan for this,’ ” he says. “Right now you’ve got one rail line — and you’ve got a passenger service, you’ve got a community cargo service and you’ve got the grain trains. Logistically, planning that is a challenge, and these delays are a result of that challenge.” Conversely, Churchill’s location is also one of its chief selling points, Hrominchuk says, noting the area has plenty of affordable housing to offer new residents and families, particularly those with a fondness for nature and adventure. “There’s hunting, fishing, quadding, boating, the rivers, the bay, the boreal forest, the night-viewing — the list goes on,” says Hrominchuk, who owns two hotels in Churchill and provides visitors with the opportunity to watch the northern lights from the comfort of covered Aurora Domes. “It’s a little chunk of paradise. If you want freedom and opportunity and a safe place to raise your kids, that’s Churchill.” ■

rontiers North Adventures partnered with Assiniboine Park Conservancy and child welfare organization Marymound to give kids a whirlwind trip to Churchill in late October. Tundra Buggy tours are a once-in-a-lifetime experience for international travellers, and Frontiers North CEO John Gunter says the project was aimed at offering the experience to kids who would not otherwise have that opportunity. “We’re really passionate about sharing these resources that have been made available to us. We want to share them with as many people as possible and we realize it’s expensive to get up to Churchill — that’s why for a decade we’ve been doing the polar bear cam,” he says. “With this project with Marymound our desire is to get kids who (would) never have a chance to experience wild polar bears, to get them up to Churchill, to get them into the wild to lock their gaze with a live polar bear and maybe create a point in their life where they maybe want to understand science more or make a decision to stay in school.” The trip to Churchill was just one element of the project. Gunter says it’s important that kids have continuing opportunities to pursue their interest in polar bears and conservation back in Winnipeg, possibly by volunteering at the Assiniboine Park Zoo or attending a youth program. Earlier in October, Frontiers North and Assiniboine Park Conservancy partnered to offer guests a Polar Bear Adventure in support of Zoo conservation programs and the Journey to Churchill exhibit. Dr. Stephen D. Petersen, head of research and conservation at the zoo and the International Polar Bear Conservation Centre, accompanied guests on the special tour, and Frontiers North donated $300 for each guest to the Imagine a Place campaign. For information about future tours, visit www.frontiersnorth.com. ■

EXPLORE THE WONDERS OF CHURCHILL, MANITOBA

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10 MBiz | November 2014

UTDT instructor Terry Fennel looks on as student Maria goes through the pre-trip inspection.

WORKPLACE ON WHEELS STEERING MATURE DRIVERS TO BIG-RIG JOBS By Iris Chrol for ThirdQuarter

T oot your own horn. Life is a highway and as a commercial truck driver the highway can be your workplace as well. After spending a day at United Transportation Driver Training (UTDT) in Steinbach, I have come to the appreciation that being a driver is more than just holding a steering wheel and going from point A to point B. “Contrary to popular stereotypes, trucking is more than just what you do when other career avenues have been exhausted,” says Fred Hiebert, president of UTDT. Trucking is a profession that requires mature people with specific skills like the ability to problem-solve, multi-task and communicate; to be self-motivated while being self and world aware. The industry itself requires drivers, trainers, mechanics and shippers. “Trucking is one option to consider for people looking to make a mid-career change,” adds Hiebert, who has logged over three million miles in his 33 year career. “It offers flexibility and a definite change from a high-pressure desk job. Generally, people in this age group have the life experience to make good decisions.” While the salary is good – the pay grade varies by province along with driver incentives – it can come as a tradeoff with time spent away from home. However, if their children have left the nest, many couples consider trucking as a joint career. If you are intrigued by a career in trucking, contact a driving school and arrange for a tour. In Manitoba, there are two training program funding options — one through Employment Insurance, the other through MPI’s Entry Level Professional Truck Driver Training Program. While there are shorter courses, the six-week course, offered through schools like UTDT, delivers the most comprehensive training, with a combination of classroom and on-the-road instruction. Many carriers also have new drivers ride with their experienced drivers. Obtaining a Class 1 licence offers the most driving options. In Manitoba, Class 1 permits allow the holder to operate semi-trailer trucks and all motor vehicles included in Classes 2, 3, 4, and 5. This includes buses, dump trucks, tow trucks, taxis and emergency vehicles, but excludes motorcycles. More information can be found online at www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/subjects/cards/drivers_licence.shtml. Trucking keeps the economy rolling in a variety of ways, both direct and indirect. It is no surprise that the demand for professional drivers is increasing along with the volume of cross-border traffic. According to the Manitoba Trucking Association,

80% of Manitoba’s merchandise trade with the U.S. is shipped by truck. I am in awe when I realize that with the exception of babies, virtually everything is delivered by truck. When I stepped into the cab for my ride-along, I was excited at this opportunity to change my perspective. For the better part of my career I have worked in an office behind a computer. Now here I sit: No phone, no computer, no water cooler, just a steering wheel and a map, with 53 feet of trailer behind me and the potential for an extended road trip before me. UTDT instructor Terry Fennel, who has logged nearly three million miles in his 26 year career, assures me that with time and practice the elements of the 50-minute pre-trip inspection and air brake become second nature. In addition to transportation, trucking is also a people business — requiring interaction with dispatchers, other drivers, shippers, loaders and the people you meet along the way and on the road. Drivers act as representatives of the name on the truck and/or the cargo they are carrying. Through real-life anecdotes, UTDT instructor Chad Kretschmer shares the lessons he learned from his eight years on the road. “If you take the time to plan your route properly you can experience the best of North America and discover hidden gems like snail races and chili cook offs.” ■ ThirdQuarter is owned by Skills Connect Inc., which is part of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. For information about the services of ThirdQuarter, please visit www.thirdquarter.ca or www.hire-experience.ca

11 MBiz | November 2014

BRIDLE SUITES RANCH BECOMES HOSTEL TERRITORY By Wendy King

Now a partner with Hostelling International Canada, 9 Finger Ranch is a home away from home on the range. The ranch house (above right) is just one option for guests. Photos courtesy of 9 Finger Ranch

12 MBiz | November 2014

F or the Ketelsen family, it was a journey over many years from their original home in Germany to Quebec, then to Saskatchewan, and finally to their dream ranch in Rossburn. Ilse Ketelsen says they simply "found the place." And while they finally settled at home, their trails’ end is now a trail head. The only Hostelling International Canada partner in the Prairie region as of September, the cryptically monikered 9 Finger Ranch is the starting place for equine adventure in the Manitoba Escarpment. It’s a beautiful location surrounded by rolling hills and lakes on the south side of Riding Mountain National Park. As the only licensed horseback guides at the west end of RMNP, the Ketelsens are unique in the region. But just where the heck does the name "9 Finger Ranch" come from? "See, it does the trick!" Ketelsen says. "We got your attention." "We actually searched for a long time for the right name, something unique but with meaning. In the end it was our son, Ray, who came up with it to honour his two grandpas. They had both lost a finger during farm accidents." Ketelsen, who is the economic development officer for the RM of Rossburn, and her husband, Thomas, have a family of ranch hands that include their children Ray, Karina, Eva and Dominik, as well as a ‘passel’ of grandkids. The family has always been in agriculture, especially dairy farming. They settled in Rossburn in 2002 with a small herd of Black Angus cattle and their Tennessee Walking Horses. Ilse says Dominik calls them "the rocking chair of the horses." "Their fifth gait, the running walk, makes them a very comfortable long-distance trail horse," she says. Although the Ketelsens had kept horses for some 20 years, it took some time before they began offering trail rides to other folks, but they’ve developed a well-rounded program. "If our guests ride on the ranch, checking the cows with us, they can learn about agriculture and raising cattle and the lay of the land, or they can just enjoy the view. When my cowboys are showing them ‘their’ park, riders can decide to be rather quiet and hope to see bear, moose, elk or the elusive wolf or they

can ask as many questions as come to mind and our guides will add a few stories of their own adventures to it,” Ketelsen says. "We also added a day at the ranch, teaching guests how to prepare the horses and then heading off to check the fences and the cattle, with the day ending with a meal and cowboy coffee." The Ketelsens strive for personal service, tailoring adventures to each guest. "There are the ones that want to try riding at least once; there are nature lovers who enjoy the wide open space and the rolling hills at the ranch or in the park. There are small groups or families wanting to do things together, and often they have some roots in farming. There are newcomers to Canada who are amazed by the space, the animals and the nature ... and the cowboys, of course." While most visitors come from Canada, Ketelsen notes that because the family speaks German and French, their European guests like to stick around a little longer. And now that they’ve joined Hostelling International Canada, they are looking forward to hosting travellers who want to check out the wide range of activities and attractions in Rossburn and the surrounding area as well. With interest growing, the latest challenge has been providing a comfortable place to stay for extended visits. “Adding more accommodation options at the ranch is our new adventure. We secured two cabins which were set on their foundations at the ranch in August. The cabins each have a capacity of 10 beds. We continue to offer two rooms at our ranch house as well,” Ketelsen says. “The cabins also mean that we are now open to cater to groups for meetings, reunions, and more." And that means happy trails for everyone.

DAUPHIN & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ROBLIN & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ROSSBURN & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RUSSELL & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SWAN VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Find out more online at www.9fingerranch.com or www.hihostels.ca. ■

13 MBiz | November 2014

LEGACY ON ICE HOCKEY MANITOBA MARKS 100 YEARS By Jennifer McFee

I t’s a season of celebration for Hockey Manitoba as it scores an impressive goal — reaching 100 years as an organization. To commemorate a century of sport, the 100th-anniversary festivities launched in August with a celebrity golf tournament, followed by a minor hockey summit in September. “At that conference and seminar, we evaluated the state of the game and what we need to do to improve our organization — and hockey in general,” explains Kyle Prystupa, development and communications manager. “We looked at what we need to do for the next 100 years to leave a legacy.” This legacy includes contributions from female hockey players, who will be in the spotlight during a three-day event called Project 100. From Dec. 12 - 14, female players can participate in activities such as the Scotiabank Girls

HockeyFest, which provides training and skills development for girls ages seven to 12. Other highlights include a bantam AAA tournament called the MTS Showcase Challenge, as well as clinics and seminars for coaches and officials. Female athletes are also the focus of the Made in Manitoba game, which will see the University of Manitoba’s Bisons women’s team face off against past high-performance players from across the province. Another must-see match will be the all-star game for the Manitoba Women’s Junior Hockey League. “Girls’ participation has really increased in the last quarter of our 100 years. There’s been involvement for the past 50 or 60 years, but not to the extent that it is today. In the last 15 years, it’s gotten really big because female hockey has grown so much during that time,” Prystupa says.

14 MBiz | November 2014

ABORIGINAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ASSINIBOIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE FRANCOPHONE DE SAINT-BONIFACE HEADINGLEY REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LA SALLE & AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STONEWALL & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WINNIPEG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Two-time Olympic team captain and gold medalist Cassie Campbell-Pascall (left) took part in Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest in 2014. The event returns in 2015 during Hockey Manitoba's 100th anniversary celebrations. Photos courtesy of Scotiabank

“The Project 100 weekend is going to be a really busy time with probably over 1,000 participants in total.” In true Manitoba tradition, an outdoor series is another sure-shot way to draw a crowd. Fans can bundle up to cheer on elite young players in feature games from December to early February. These games lead up to a province-wide celebration on Feb. 15, when dozens of communities will host outdoor games simultaneously. “Within the city and throughout rural Manitoba, we hope to have around 50 host sites at various outdoor rinks. In those towns and community centres, they’ll have around three or four games each,” Prystupa says. “In total, we’re hoping that around 4,000 players will take part in that huge celebration day across the province.” The culmination of the centennial season will take place on May 9 at a gala dinner featuring special guests and key speakers. To keep communities informed about milestone events, Hockey Manitoba launched a micro- website at 100.hockeymanitoba.ca. Fans can click on the myTEAMMB tab to create their

own all-time Team Manitoba starting lineup and automatically be entered into the 100th- anniversary sweepstakes. “There are a ton of great prizes. The first grand prize that we’re giving out is a trip to the World Junior Championships for both the two semifinal games and the gold medal game in Toronto, including airfare, tickets, hotel and spending money,” Prystupa says. “Other prizes include the Jets suite and full CCM and Reebok hockey gear to deck you out from head to toe. It’s over $25,000 in value between all of our prizes, and entry is for free.” To share the joy of the sport with budding young players, Hockey Manitoba has also initiated a stick giveaway for the next generation of athletes. “Every five- and six-year-old gets a free Sidney Crosby Reebok stick. They just have to show their proof of registration, print off their voucher and go to Royal Sports to get a free stick,” Prystupa says. “That’s a legacy way to give back and try to increase participation. It ensures that it’s a little bit easier for parents to have their kids in the game.” ■

15 MBiz | November 2014

ALL WELL AND GOOD WORKPLACE HEALTH BENEFITS BOTTOM LINE By David Schmeichel

I t’s said a healthy workplace is a happy workplace — and by that logic, a provincial initiative promoting wellness at work might easily measure its success in smiling faces or long, contented sighs. But a healthy workplace is also a key indicator of a healthy bottom line, and in this case, participating employers are reaping the added rewards of increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, and a labour force that’s sharper and better equipped to deal with stress. Since November 2013, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) has been encouraging member businesses to make a public commitment to employee health — by signing up for the province’s Wellness Works program and fostering environments that allow staff to flourish. The initiative helps employers to set health-related goals — everything from daily exercise and disease-prevention plans to strategies for reducing sedentary behaviour — and to deliver on those goals through collaborative employee committees and group support structures that inspire positive change. “This campaign will help encourage Manitobans to choose healthy alternatives in every aspect of their lives,” says MCC president Chuck Davidson.

16 MBiz | November 2014

“We believe [members] will see immediate benefits in employees’ health and attitudes, contributing to a better bottom line. And that’s good for business.” The MCC’s involvement with Wellness Works dates back to 2012, when its President’s Advisory Committee on Health Care in Manitoba highlighted the need for healthier living standards in a report entitled, “Shaping Manitoba’s Future: Our Health Care.” The report drew a direct link between overall wellness and economic sustainability, noting roughly 40% of provincial budgets in Canada are allocated to health-care costs, and predicting an increased burden on resources as the population continues to age. Armed with its recommendations, the province — in partnership with the MCC and the local health-care community — laid the foundation for Wellness Works as it now exists. Since its launch, the program has drawn pledges from more than 50 MCC members, among them National Leasing, a company that for years has been recognized as a leader in providing a positive workplace climate. “[We’ve] always looked to provide an environment whereby employees can be the best they can possibly be, be it through an in-house gym, wellness benefits, or opportunity for community and charitable involvement,” says Grant Shaw, vice-president, Corporate Development, Strategy & Culture at National Leasing. “Some of the benefits are obvious, such as a better work-life balance for employees, which hopefully results in a better home life and translates to healthier families.” Shaw says employers will also see direct benefits, citing reduced

turnover rates, a more productive workforce, and fewer instances of chronic or fatal illness. “A bigger impact would be supporting the overall effort to help people live healthier lives, which could ultimately impact health- care-related costs and services.” For the program to work effectively, employers have to buy in from the start, says Davidson, noting it’s imperative for them to be understanding and encouraging of those looking to make positive changes in their lives. For its part, the MCC has already taken steps to raise the bar — from simpler measures like adding healthier menu options to breakfast meetings, to earmarking financial support for employees who opt to join gyms or health clubs. And though National Leasing has only been involved with Wellness Works for under a year, employees have plenty of experience with similar best practices that have been in place for far longer. (They’re clearly working: for the last seven years, the company has ranked as one of Canada’s Best Small and Medium Employers in Aon Hewitt’s nation-wide research study.) Shaw says the designation is so valuable because the study’s survey results measure employee engagement rates, providing insight into the effectiveness of strategies that often overlap with those in the Wellness Works wheelhouse. “It’s empowering your employees — giving them the resources to take charge of creating a healthy workplace for themselves,” Shaw says. “An environment they want to come to and experience wellness in, every day.” ■

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17 MBiz | November 2014

Joyce Brown brings a new twist to interior design. Photos courtesy of Joyce Brown Design Group

DESIGNING SOLUTIONS CREATIVE SERVICE FOR HOMES AND BUSINESS By Wendy King

T here’s one thing you can say for certain about interior design: There is no shortage of choices for your decor. That’s where Joyce Brown Design Group and Design Dilemma?! come in. Owner Joyce Brown knows how difficult it can be for home and business owners to settle on those choices and she has been busy developing a hi-tech solution. "When you are going from one store to the next, sometimes everything becomes all grey," she says. "The object is to help people make better, more educated decisions." Brown, 46, made Winnipeg her home when she graduated from the University of Manitoba with a degree in Interior Design. Twenty years later, it wasn’t much of a leap to form a business and develop her own strategy for building a creative team. "I take a multi-disciplinary approach, working with interior designers, architects, ad agencies, app developers, accountants, whatever a project requires," she says. That strategy has allowed her to be adaptive, and to take on two very innovative projects in addition to traditional interior design work. "I’m working with Dave Wilkie from Fusion Advertising on an app that uses enhanced reality or augmented reality," she says. The object of the app is to provide retailers with the means to assist their customers to create a coordinated look for their homes by tailoring options based on their specific tastes. So, if a customer chooses a red Adirondack chair, the app allows the customer to see the items in their own backyard or in a picture the app will provide.

"It’s about helping each individual customer, as many as I can, on a larger scale," Brown says. Her other big project is focused on a design area that doesn’t get a lot of attention — automobile showrooms.

"I’m helping dealerships to distinguish what the qualities of their specific brand are," she says. "This will help the retailer go beyond the personality of their products to create a distinctive environment that the customer will encounter, rather than going into just another showroom."

Although she is moving with, and even developing, technology in her field, some things will never change. She still takes her clients through the traditional steps of identifying their design challenges, establishing the esthetic ideals they are trying to achieve, setting budgets and timelines, and finally creating a proposal and executing the project. "It’s definitely a two-pronged business: Joyce Brown Design Group encompasses all the different things I’m doing, and Design Dilemma?! more specifically addresses the technology,” she says. "The aim is to remain a small, custom studio offering clients a creative and practical, but ultimately very personal, design service.” Learn more at www. joycebrowndesigngroup.com. ■

18 MBiz | November 2014

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M anitoba will once again welcome the world during Centrallia 2016. The announcement that World Trade Centre (WTC) Winnipeg is mounting the third international business-to-business networking forum came in October, during Centrallia Manitoba — the first provincial version of the event. Modelled on France’s Futurallia, the inaugural Centrallia was held in Winnipeg in 2010. Following Centrallia 2012, when more than 700 participants from 35 countries gathered in Winnipeg to forge global business connections, feedback from participants was overwhelmingly favourable. A survey found that 97% would recommend Centrallia to other business leaders, while 96% said the event resulted in new business opportunities or leads, and 93% said they would participate in a future Centrallia. The provincial government has demonstrated its confidence in Centrallia and the bilingual WTC Winnipeg. When the province announced $1.9 million in funding for WTC Winnipeg over two years, plus $700,000 to organize Centrallia 2016, Minister of Jobs and the Economy Theresa Oswald cited the organization’s “incredible work” inspiring new and established companies. “An immeasurable amount of work has been done at Centrallia to enable business people to forge new contacts and new relationships, and the impact for the province is huge,” Oswald said. For her part, WTC Winnipeg president and CEO Mariette Mulaire said the organization is committed to making sure the province “receives a very good return on this investment.” Centrallia organizers play matchmaker to set up as many as 14 30-minute business-to-business meetings for registered participants, along with networking events, seminars, a trade show and tours of local businesses. WTC Winnipeg supplies a number of support services, including company profile development, coaching and post- event followup to help businesses make the most of connections they make at Centrallia. WTC Winnipeg is a member of the World Trade Centres Association, which represents more than 300 World Trade Centres in nearly 100 countries. It supports Manitoba companies looking to grow their business beyond provincial borders, and provides services to international companies interested in doing business with Manitobans. For more information on Centrallia 2016 and WTC Winnipeg, visit www.wtcwinnipeg.com. ■ MEET YOUR MATCH SPEED-DATING ON A GLOBAL SCALE

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19 MBiz | November 2014

TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT HOW WIDESPREAD IS THE OSCAR CURSE?

T he Academy Awards inspired a potentially epic stream of research for academic Alyson Byrne. The so-called Oscar curse was a starting point for Byrne, who joined the I.H. Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba in July as an assistant professor of organizational behaviour. “Women who win the Academy Award for Best Actress are 1.68 times more likely to experience divorce following their win than their nominated counterparts,” Byrne says. “Men can win or lose the Academy Award — it really has no bearing on their marriage — but for some reason women who win, it’s like they can’t have success in both their work and in their personal lives.” There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence for the curse – it’s befallen everyone from Bette Davis to Sandra Bullock — and it’s supported by empirical evidence, including a study conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto and Carnegie Mellon University. Byrne wondered if a similar phenomenon was at play in the corporate world. Along with more prestige, money and respect, do high-status positions come with higher personal costs for women? “With all the pressure that I think women are experiencing right now to climb to these senior-level leadership roles with things like (Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s campaign) Lean In and the quest to break the glass ceiling, I started to think, we know there are struggles to get into those roles, but what happens when they get there?”

However, there was a major mitigating factor: Marriages were more stable among women whose husbands provided high levels of tangible support — doing housework and taking a role in child care and elder care, for example. “They had no problems in their marriage regardless of how they felt about their husbands’ lower-status positions. Their marriages were perfectly fine.” Byrne says it appears that you can have it all, as long as you have a good partner — make that a great partner. “The common saying used to be, ‘Behind every great man there’s a great woman,’ and I think that maybe we just need to flip it — behind every great woman there might be a great partner,” she says. Byrne’s dissertation provides a fertile foundation for continuing research, and she’d like to flip its focus to study the male perspective. “We’re seeing a real increase in men who maybe want to lean out — spend more time with their kids and not be at their job 12, 14 hours a day,” she says.

While her study demonstrates that there has to be compromise within relationships, there also has to be a cultural shift in the way we think of men and women in leadership and domestic roles. “We could do a much better job of treating everybody equally,” Byrne says. “I think there’s something wonderful about a man who recognizes that he wants to be a family man just as much as he wants to be a business man, because women have been dealing with that issue for years.” ■

Byrne decided to dig deeper as part of her PhD dissertation work at Queen’s University with supervisor Dr. Julian Barling. While women are scarce at the top levels of corporate leadership — there are only 24 in the 2014 Fortune 500, and 51 in the

Fortune 1000 — Byrne was able to survey more than 200 women in a variety of high-level positions, along with 60 of their husbands. She found that women with a higher job status than their mates were more likely to experience marital

Above: Sandra Bullock at the Oscars. Photo by Paul Smith / Featureflash. Left: Alyson Byrne, assistant professor at the I.H. Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba. Photo by Darcy Finley

instability — not because the men were bothered but because the women were less satisfied if they were disappointed in their husbands’ lack of success, or if they felt it detracted from their own standing.

20 MBiz | November 2014

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E ven after a visit from Prince Charles during his trip to Winnipeg last May, Innovation Alley remains an unassuming district downtown. Nestled between Red River College’s Roblin Centre campus and the United Way of Winnipeg, Innovation Alley includes a hub of start-up companies, a makerspace, co-working facilities, and a vibrant post-secondary institution. It is where “ideas come to happen.” Entrepreneurs can test ideas or concepts, prototype and find encouragement in a supportive community. AssentWorks is a volunteer-driven makerspace equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, and various metal and woodworking tools. But the key ingredient is the people who cross-pollinate ideas and expertise. AssentWorks founder and current Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce chair Michael Legary says Winnipeg is at a critical juncture. “Creativity and entrepreneurship will make the difference for the future of our economy. Being known as a hotbed for ideas will not only attract the next generation of leaders but help to create them while keeping our long- standing businesses vibrant.” It is estimated that one street in Innovation Alley has created $100 million in WHERE HUSTLERS, HACKERS AND HIPSTERS UNITE

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22 MBiz | November 2014

CANADIAN AME/CME 2015

new revenue over the past three years. The goal is to reach $1 billion in new revenue over the next 10 years. It’s that next generation of leaders that is fuelling Ramp Up Manitoba. Ramp Up is a collision between hustlers, hackers and hipsters, otherwise known as entrepreneurs, developers, designers, and makers. They connect marketable ideas with the talent needed to launch them and resources to fuel growth. The support of organizations has played a critical role in speeding up the growth of Innovation Alley. For example, Western Economic Diversification Canada’s matching of private investments is moving Start Up Winnipeg forward faster — and Winnipeg start-ups are making an impact. On Oct. 3, Permission Click, a company that digitizes permission slips and payments collection for schools, took home the award for Canada’s Most Promising Start-up, presented by KPMG Enterprise at the NACO Summit. Permission Slip and Advolve Media, an advertising company that engages audiences through its proprietary Mirage Mirror technology, are going to Kansas in November to compete for a chance to pitch at a global competition in the Netherlands. Along The Alley, you’ll also find the Manitoba Technology Accelerator (MTA). Led by Marshall Ring, MTA supports start-up science and technology companies with funding, office space, business coaching and more. One of its success stories is Skip The Dishes, a food delivery network now working in 10 cities with Winnipeg as home base. Legary is quick to point out that Innovation Alley would not be successful without business leaders who understand that start-ups need support, low rent, mentorship and introductions. From a retail pop-up shop to new media to biotechnology, it’s a place to bring and test ideas, share concepts and build products. Learn more at www.innovationalley.com.

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23 MBiz | November 2014

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